Should Addiction Illegal Substances be Treated as a Disease or Crime?

[Sunstone]

Addiction is mental; the only people who become addicted to these substances are those with no willpower, just as people who are fat need only to stop eating so much.

That strikes me as a scientifically illiterate opinion.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Addiction is mental; the only people who become addicted to these substances are those with no willpower, just as people who are fat need only to stop eating so much.

Sounds like the overly-simplistic worldview the mentally challenged janitor at my work might hold.

 

[LuisDantas]

No, just that retarded people probably shouldn't do drugs.

And therefore shouldn't be allowed access to them? Is that your point?

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

And therefore shouldn't be allowed access to them? Is that your point?

No, that's not what I said. Drugs should be available to everyone just like uncensored TV should. It is the responsibility of the people in charge of mentally incapable people to make sure they don't use drugs, just as a good parent should simply change the channel rather than dumb down TV across the board

 

[LuisDantas]

I think that a far more sensible conclusion is that it is the larger society's duty to strongly restrict access to drugs, personally.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

I think that a far more sensible conclusion is that it is the larger society's duty to strongly restrict access to drugs, personally.

That's impossible. The US has been fighting and losing the war on drugs for as long as I've been alive, and longer. Drugs are already as restricted as they can be on paper, yet we continue to use them. People like drugs, so they're not going anywhere, and those who are against drugs need not use them

 

[LuisDantas]

That's impossible. The US has been fighting and losing the war on drugs for as long as I've been alive, and longer. Drugs are already as restricted as they can be on paper, yet we continue to use them. People like drugs, so they're not going anywhere, and those who are against drugs need not use them

In all fairness, I don't really care whether it is possible. We must try anyway.

Of course, laws are hardly an important measure to restrict drug use. It takes boycott and open repudiation to get results.

 

[England my lionheart]

I personally believe it is somewhere in the middle; narcotics and other 'drugs' are not only harmful to the self but also to society, and there should be punishment for buying, selling, and using them. However I also think that it is a problem that most people cannot overcome without help. Now the question is how the government (doesn't matter what country) should do in the terms of dealing with addicts, (or anyone under the influence, and unable to stop using said substances)

Addiction isn't only native to drugs so should people addicted to ie religion politics or shoplifting be punished or treated for disease?.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

In all fairness, I don't really care whether it is possible. We must try anyway.

Of course, laws are hardly an important measure to restrict drug use. It takes boycott and open repudiation to get results.

Too many people (myself included) love drugs for any kind of boycott to be effective. As far as open repudiation, we already have that. The number of "above the influence" and "just say no" commercials I've seen while smoking pot in front of my TV is crazy; they do nothing except provide ironic entertainment for people who use drugs

 

[LuisDantas]

Too many people (myself included) love drugs for any kind of boycott to be effective.

That may well be true. But I don't truly care whether the chance of effectiveness is low. It is not an important factor IMO.

As far as open repudiation, we already have that. The number of "above the influence" and "just say no" commercials I've seen while smoking pot in front of my TV is crazy; they do nothing except provide ironic entertainment for people who use drugs

That? That does not count as repudiation.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Why wiuldnt that be a factor? It doesn't bother you that ridiculous amounts of time an money are being wasted on a battle that can't and will never be won?

 

[LuisDantas]

Why wiuldnt that be a factor? It doesn't bother you that ridiculous amounts of time an money are being wasted on a battle that can't and will never be won?

Yes it does. That is why it must be fought in the front that will win it.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Yes it does. That is why it must be fought in the front that will win it.

There is no front that will win it. There are just way too many people that love drugs, profit off of them, or both. Prohibition has never worked in any controlled substance, or anything for that matter. There has never been a crime that was completely erased because a law was made against it, or because the people rallied to stop it.

 

[SkepticThinker]

I smoke cigarettes, and can stop for months at a time with no urges to smoke and no complications. I have been doing this since I was a teenager. I couldn't and still can't ever understand why some people are so weak they can't just put them down.

Addiction changes the wiring in your brain so that the only thing that brings you any pleasure or happiness is having the thing you're addicted to. It takes something like 6 months to a year after quitting for your brain to return to its previous state. It's not really a matter of weakness, at least, not in the sense you're talking about.

And in the case of alcoholism, for example, quitting cold turkey can kill a person if they don't have access to proper medical attention.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Addiction changes the wiring in your brain so that the only thing that brings you any pleasure or happiness is having the thing you're addicted to. It takes something like 6 months to a year after quitting for your brain to return to its previous state. It's not really a matter of weakness, at least, not in the sense you're talking about.

And in the case of alcoholism, for example, quitting cold turkey can kill a person if they don't have access to proper medical attention.

Again, that's only referring to people who were weak enough to get addicted. Not everyone in the world is susceptible to drug addiction. A lot of us have the strength and willpower to cut ourselves off when we've had enough. It takes an extremely weak person to feel a need for something that isn't essential to life

 

[SkepticThinker]

Again, that's only referring to people who were weak enough to get addicted. Not everyone in the world is susceptible to drug addiction. A lot of us have the strength and willpower to cut ourselves off when we've had enough. It takes an extremely weak person to feel a need for something that isn't essential to life

Maybe you were just lucky enough not to have a genetic predisposition for addiction. Or maybe you were lucky enough to be equipped with good coping skills. Maybe you were lucky enough to grow up in a positive environment.

Not everyone is as lucky as you are.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Maybe you were just lucky enough not to have a genetic predisposition for addiction. Or maybe you were lucky enough to be equipped with good coping skills. Maybe you were lucky enough to grow up in a positive environment.

Not everyone is as lucky as you are.

It's not a matter of luck, I just know when I've had enough and believe anyone that can't make that decision is weak.

 

[SkepticThinker]

It's not a matter of luck, I just know when I've had enough and believe anyone that can't make that decision is weak.

Sure it is, as I just pointed out to you.

Then you're just wrong. And extremely judgmental and apparently unable to put yourself in another's shoes.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

It's not a matter of luck, I just know when I've had enough and believe anyone that can't make that decision is weak.

There are all types of weakness. One is lacking the important ability to empathize. Another is deficient theory of mind.

 

[I.S.L.A.M617]

Sure it is, as I just pointed out to you.

Then you're just wrong. And extremely judgmental and apparently unable to put yourself in another's shoes.

1) That's a matter of opinion, just as my stance on addiction is

2) Why is it necessary to empathize with someone who has done absolutely nothing for me?